Page 59 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“That money didn’t belong to me, and I’m not taking the wrap for that shit. I held them off long enough, but it’s not my baby anyway, so I don’t give a fuck what happens. I hope your nigga is as good as he claims with that fuckin gun.”

“If you don’t move, you’ll find out, and I promise he won’t miss.” Gi was a protector at heart. It was ingrained in who he was, which wouldn’t end well for Marcel.

Marcel stepped back, looking me up and down. As much as he claimed he didn’t care, I knew it was a lie. It was written all over his face, but I didn’t pity his pain. Marcel deserved everything he was feeling and more, “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

“Yeah, well, that makes two of us. Goodbye, Marcel.” I pulled off, batting my eyelashes to curtail my emotions. Tears wanted to fall, but I imagined Gianni’s face and the frown on it if he saw me.

My mom always said the only man who deserves you is the one who thinks he doesn’t. So don’t feel bad for leaving. You deserved better.

Marcel dropped the ball. It wasn’t on me, and I didn’t have a damn thing to cry about. When I arrived at Niyomi’s apartment, I was greeted with wide eyes and smiles as they stood in the doorway, gawking at my growing bump. Likely because I had grown since the last time they saw me.

“I know Beth and Charlene taught you hoes it’s not polite to stare!”

Niyomi’s eyes watered as her head fell an inch to the side. No matter how many times she’d seen me pregnant, she still got emotional. “I can’t believe my baby is having a baby!”

“And taking her away from us,” Denim yelled from the kitchen.

“We will only be an hour away, and you heifers better come see me too!”

“I just can’t believe you’re moving.” Denim could hardly lift her voice above a whisper as she dabbed the tears. “I know bitch! It’s only an hour, but we haven’t been more than fifteen minutes away from each other since college. Now you’re leaving the nest.”

We were taken aback by Denim’s reaction. Not so much her sentiments on the subject. When Niyomi’s mom had a stroke, we supported her. When Denim found out she was pregnant by Kelvin a week after he got locked up, we went with her to get an abortion and nursed her back to health.

We weren’t just friends. We were sisters. They had always been in my corner, free of judgment and persecution like I had been for them. To some, Denim might’ve seemed dramatic, but I knew the depths of our love for one another, which created tears of my own. I was holding in a lot, and being in my safe place with my girls made it hard to keep it together.

“What the hell is going on? I’m the only one not crying right now, which means something is wrong!” Niyomi shot up from the couch before turning to Denim, “Bitch are you pregnant too?”

“My best friend is moving! I’m sad, hoe!” Denim fired back, clenching the pillow, likely because she hated being unable to control her emotions.

“Why are you crying, Lo?” Niyomi shifted the conversation.

Shaking my head, I didn’t know how to tell them everything that had transpired since running into Gi. It was a lot but carrying it alone weighed me down, so I confessed. Everything from running into Gi and Kyerra to his father holding me hostage, so I didn’t run off. I didn’t leave out that we had to get married because his great-great-grandfather had a supportive wife. His family wanted to preserve their bloodline because they thought they were some savior from God.

“Typical, black women always expected to save the damn world,” Denim’s lips tutted with annoyance.

“Do you have to make everything about race?” Niyomi questioned.

“When the shoe fits, which is way too damn often,” Denim shrugged, and all I could do was shake my head.

“It’s not about race, Denim. Just some stupid outdated tradition that’s ruining my life.”

“Look on the bright side,” Niyomi started before Denim broke into a fit of laughter that made me chuckle too.

“I can’t wait to hear this shit. Let’s hear the bright side of having a baby and marrying a stranger whose family belongs in an asylum.”

“I was there the night you guys met. The way you looked at him, Lo. That means there’s hope.”

“Hope for what? That man is in love with somebody else.” Gi didn’t have to say it, but I could tell. When I asked him about Kyerra in the park, it was the look in his eyes. Now, he had to give up everything because I was pregnant. I couldn’t relate because my relationship with Marcel burned to the ground on its own.

“This is not a Disney movie. Of course, she was attracted to his fine, tall, sexy-.”

“Aye! That’s my baby daddy you’re talking about,” I warned, pointing my finger.

“Sorry, but attraction and loving somebody enough to spend forever is different.” Denim completed the point she was trying to make before I cut in.

“I know, but since she doesn’t have a choice, maybe they should start getting to know each other as friends. From there, the possibilities are endless,” Niyomi advised.

“It was supposed to be one night of fun, but my dumbass got pregnant.”

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